The Military Reconstruction Act was the first of the Reconstruction Acts passed by radical republicans in Congress. The act's major component was that the South would be divided into five military districts, with a northern general in charge of protecting basic rights of life and property. Martial Law was also enacted in the South, with troops, "keeping the peace," and protecting former slaves.
The Act also called for new state representatives and constitutions, the ratification of the fourteenth amendment, which gave all people citizenship regardless of race (except Native Americans), and suffrage to former slaves and black people. Granting suffrage to all people in the South except for ex-Confederates was the most radical part of the bill.
Controversy Surrounding the Bill
The Military Reconstruction Act was controversial mostly because President Johnson himself vetoed the bill twice, but Congress passed it anyways. The President believed that the act denied the southern states a legitimate government, and that too much power was being granted to the military commanders leading the districts because they could use force whenever they thought necessary. Others also thought it was illegal for Congress to pass the law because it took the South's legitimacy and equality, but still asked Southern states to ratify the fourteenth amendment. The passing of the law was also thought to be illegal because of the lack of representation from the South. As a result of the Military Reconstruction Act, the South was left inactive under the rule of military commanders and helpless southern delegates.
Military Reconstruction Act- March 1867
Overview
The Military Reconstruction Act was the first of the Reconstruction Acts passed by radical republicans in Congress. The act's major component was that the South would be divided into five military districts, with a northern general in charge of protecting basic rights of life and property. Martial Law was also enacted in the South, with troops, "keeping the peace," and protecting former slaves.The Act also called for new state representatives and constitutions, the ratification of the fourteenth amendment, which gave all people citizenship regardless of race (except Native Americans), and suffrage to former slaves and black people. Granting suffrage to all people in the South except for ex-Confederates was the most radical part of the bill.
Controversy Surrounding the Bill
The Military Reconstruction Act was controversial mostly because President Johnson himself vetoed the bill twice, but Congress passed it anyways. The President believed that the act denied the southern states a legitimate government, and that too much power was being granted to the military commanders leading the districts because they could use force whenever they thought necessary. Others also thought it was illegal for Congress to pass the law because it took the South's legitimacy and equality, but still asked Southern states to ratify the fourteenth amendment. The passing of the law was also thought to be illegal because of the lack of representation from the South. As a result of the Military Reconstruction Act, the South was left inactive under the rule of military commanders and helpless southern delegates.